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« Previous \| Home \| Next »	Jefferson's Academical Village Tuesday, June 20, 2006
EXIF: KONICA MINOLTA MAXXUM 5D \| 1/400 sec \| f 8.0 \| 26.0mm (35mm equivalent: 39.0mm) \| ISO 100 At the end of his life, Thomas Jefferson evaluated his many accomplishments and selected three to be listed on his tombstone: 'Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia.' He designed what became known as an 'academical village.' The Rotunda (pictured here) is the focal point for Jefferson's orignal plan. Now used for meeting of the Board of Visitors, and open for self guided tours, the Rotunda originally served as the University Library, initially housing a collection selected by Jefferson himself. Jefferson modeled the Rotunda on the Pantheon in Rome with construction beginning in 1822 and completed in 1826. Sadly, Jefferson did not live to see the completion of his dream. I completed my Master's Degree in Anthropology at The University way back in 1977 and occasionally return to savor the special feel of this 'academical' environment. I have spent time at many different schools, but UVa still fills me with a desire to study and learn like no other.
Posted by forgingahead Archived under: Architecture, History, Places	Permalink \| Comment (11)

« Previous \| Home \| Next »	Jefferson's Academical Village Tuesday, June 20, 2006
EXIF: KONICA MINOLTA MAXXUM 5D \| 1/400 sec \| f 8.0 \| 26.0mm (35mm equivalent: 39.0mm) \| ISO 100 At the end of his life, Thomas Jefferson evaluated his many accomplishments and selected three to be listed on his tombstone: 'Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia.' He designed what became known as an 'academical village.' The Rotunda (pictured here) is the focal point for Jefferson's orignal plan. Now used for meeting of the Board of Visitors, and open for self guided tours, the Rotunda originally served as the University Library, initially housing a collection selected by Jefferson himself. Jefferson modeled the Rotunda on the Pantheon in Rome with construction beginning in 1822 and completed in 1826. Sadly, Jefferson did not live to see the completion of his dream. I completed my Master's Degree in Anthropology at The University way back in 1977 and occasionally return to savor the special feel of this 'academical' environment. I have spent time at many different schools, but UVa still fills me with a desire to study and learn like no other.
Posted by forgingahead Archived under: Architecture, History, Places	Permalink \| Comment (11)